Can Someone With Dementia Qualify for Michigan’s Home Help Program?

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming — and many families wonder if they can receive support through Michigan’s Medicaid Home Help Program. The good news is: yes, individuals with dementia can qualify for in-home assistance and paid caregiver support, as long as certain requirements are met.

This guide explains how the program works for people with dementia and what families need to know before applying.

🧠 What Is Dementia?

Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, judgment, and behavior. It includes conditions such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Vascular dementia

• Lewy body dementia

• Frontotemporal dementia

Over time, dementia can interfere with a person’s ability to safely perform daily tasks — even if they appear physically healthy.

✅ How Michigan’s Home Help Program Supports People With Dementia

The Home Help Program provides financial support for individuals who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These include:

• Bathing

• Dressing

• Eating

• Toileting

• Mobility

• Medication reminders

In addition to physical help, the program may approve supervision and redirection hours — especially important for individuals with dementia who may:

• Wander or become disoriented

• Forget to eat or take medication

• Behave aggressively or unsafely due to confusion

📋 What’s Required to Qualify?

To qualify for Home Help services, a person with dementia must:

1. Be enrolled in Medicaid

   • The Home Help Program is only available to those with active Medicaid coverage.

2. Have a medical diagnosis that confirms cognitive impairment

   • This should be documented by a doctor and submitted with the DHS-54A Medical Needs form.

3. Need assistance with at least one ADL

   • For example, they may be physically able to walk but forget where they’re going or be unable to bathe safely without guidance.

4. Complete a home visit from an Adult Services Worker (ASW)

   • The ASW will assess the individual’s needs and determine how many caregiver hours will be approved.

📄 What Forms Are Needed?

To apply for Home Help for someone with dementia, you’ll need to submit:

• DHS-390 – Adult Services Application

• DHS-54A – Medical Needs form (completed by a doctor)

• Any supporting documentation confirming the dementia diagnosis and behavioral concerns

📝 Tips for the Home Visit

When the ASW comes to the home:

• Be honest about daily challenges

• Mention confusion, forgetfulness, or safety issues

• Provide examples of how the person’s condition affects their independence

Dementia may not be immediately visible, so it’s important to clearly describe any cognitive-related struggles during the assessment.

🧭 Final Thoughts

Dementia is a serious condition that can greatly impact a person’s ability to live independently. Michigan’s Home Help Program recognizes this and offers support — but families need to document the need thoroughly and follow the correct process.

👉 To learn more about eligibility and forms, visit michiganhomehelp.org